2011 Propaganda

Modern propaganda is distinguished from other forms of communication by its deliberate and intentional use of false or misleading information to sway public opinion. Propaganda often presents facts of one side to encourage a particular message to the public. Nowadays, propaganda is more common in industrial societies. In these environments, people not only may come up with irrational ideas, but they may also seek to persuade others to join their cause. The informational technologies allows industrial propaganda to spread at a rapid pace. Advertisements and commercials are always in sight. Companies know very well on how to manipulate people to buy their products. The aim of modern advertising is to create desires for their manufactured products. For example, there are advertisements featuring famous athletes and musicians eating McDonalds products. It is trying to create a misleading image to consumers about staying healthy from eating McDonalds. In reality, McDonalds are mass produced with the weird and disgusting ingredients. Alcohol manufactures are also a distinct example of how modern propaganda exist. In their commercials, they try to give viewers a deceiving idea about the pleasure and advantages of consuming alcohol. There is certainly nothing fun and entertaining about consuming alcohol. Propaganda is more commonly seen than ever before.

Free Response to Black Boy

Black Boy is an autobiography of Richard Wright. The book explores his childhood which regards issues of race. Richard writes about his experiences as a child and how he reflects upon the racist world. Gradually, he learns from his actions and becomes more aware about the racial relations of America. At a very young age, he lacked the care and love of family and received some negative influences.
This is a very interesting book to read. I actually couldn't put it down. The storyline is very unpredictable with Wright's intensive attitude. Throughout the novel, Wright seeks out reading with a passion that resembles a physical appetite. The desire to read and the desire to eat are closely related in his mind. Also, I favor how Richard Wright emphasizes on the themes of hunger for food, attention, knowledge, and engagement in society. There is also a passionate desire for Wright to observe and reflect upon the racist world around him. He observes the effects of racism on the black and white society. Taking that into his perspective, he judges the whole morality of his own race. This book is more than just an autobiography, it contains the perseverance of Richard Wright's life, one obstacle after another.

Hungry for Attention

Is young Richard alone in his cravings? The answer is no. Even though the book doesn't tell us much about Richard's brother, he is always there whenever Richard commits a wrongful act. His brother observes and serves as a bystander when Richard sets the curtains on fire. When Richard tries to look for comfort, his brother had already tattled to their parents about the fire. His brother preys on Richard's wrongdoings and use it as a way to grab the attention of the adults in the house.

It is no surprise for a four year old to crave for attention. Without the food provider of the family (Richard's father), the mother has to work in difficult conditions and long hours to get barely enough to feed her children. Because of her long work hours, the children would most definitely be deprived of parental love and lacked attention from their parents. Using brutal methods, Richard's mother is trying to teach her two boys to survive in the society more independently. She is trying to tell them that there is no longer a father behind them protecting their backs. From this, Richard gets exposed to the society's influence at an early age. He wasn't certain of the consequences of the things he did. Craving for attention and curiosity, Richard always find himself in trouble.